Precompressed spring package

ABSTRACT

A precompressed spring package providing means for containing precompressed springs for storage and also means for automatically releasing the springs to their working height for service operation whenever a predetermined load is applied to the package. The precompressed springs are contained within two spaced apart frames and are retained in a precompressed condition by means of a retaining pin which is automatically released whenever a predetermined load is applied to the spring package. The retaining pin may be automatically released by means of gravity or by means of an ejector spring.

United States Patent Dwyer, Jr.

[ 1 June 20, 1972 [54] PRECOMPRESSED SPRING PACKAGE [72] Inventor: Howard I. Dwyer, Jr., Glen Ellyn, Ill.

[73] Assignee: Arnsted Industries Incorporated, Chicago, Ill.

[22] Filed: Aug. 31, 1970 [211 App]. No.: 68,437

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 553,269 2/1958 Canada ..2l7/52 Primary Examiner-William T. Dixson, Jr. Attorney-Walter L. Schlegel, Jr. and Norvell E. Von Behren 57 ABSTRACT A precompressed spring package providing means for containing precompressed springs for storage and also means for automatically releasing the springs to their working height for service operation whenever a predetermined load is applied to the package. The precompressed springs are contained within two spaced apart frames and are retained in a precompressed condition by means of a retaining pin which is automatically released whenever a predetermined load is applied to the spring package. The retaining pin may be automatically released by means of gravity or by means of an ejector spring.

3 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PRECOMPRESSED SPRING PACKAGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a precompressed spring package and more specifically to a new and novel spring package wherein one or more springs may be shipped in a precompressed position and may be automatically returned to their working height whenever a predetermined load is applied to the spring package.

In a modular railroad truck, the module will generally be shipped and handled with the springs in a preloaded condition. Installation requires the insertion of the module between the side frames, bottom seat and the bolster with the springs inserted in a preloaded state. When the module is installed, the retaining means which was previously used to hold the top and bottom frame of the module together must then be removed in order to allow the springs to return to their working height and function properly.

Prior art retainers often used steel bands around the springs which were required to be cut in order that the springs could become operative. If the installer failed to cut the steel bands, the springs were inoperative and the device using the springs did not properly function.

Other prior art spring retainers used specially designed shear pins having special necked down portions which are designed to break at predetermined loads. The use of these special shear pins was relatively expensive and it was not uncommon to find springs shipped without the special shear pins but with standard bolts in place. The bolts would not break at the predetermined loading and the device would not function properly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention alleviates the difficulties encountered with the beforementioned prior art devices by providing a new and novel method of retaining the precompressed springs by the use of a standard brake pin which is inserted in a plurality of specially designed lugs rigidly fastened to the frames retaining the springs. The brake pins function as a retainer pin to retain the frames at a predetermined distance from each other while automatically releasing the frames whenever a predetermined load is applied to the frames after the spring package is installed in the device. 1

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a new and novel precompressed spring package which contains means for automatically retaining the springs at a shipping height while providing means for automatically releasing the frames whenever a predetermined load is applied to the frames, whereupon the springs are free to travel to their working height.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel precompressed spring package which contains means for automatically releasing the springs thereby insuring that the spring package can properly function in the device in which it is installed.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a new and novel precompressed spring package which requires no special steel bands or shear pins to retain the springs in a shipping position but uses standard hardware such as railroad brake pins for this purpose.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the specification and from a study of the drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged side view taken along line 22 showing the retainer pin positioned within a plurality of lugs holding the precompressed spring in position;

FIG. 4 is a side section similar to FIG. 3 showing the retainer pin automatically being released from the retainer lug by the action of gravity;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view taken along line 22 of FIG. 1 showing a modification of the basic invention wherein the retainer pin may be ejected from the device by means of an ejection spring; and

FIG. 6 is another side sectional view similar to FIG. 5 showing a modification of the FIG. 5 embodiment wherein the retainer pin is ejected by an ejection spring positioned behind the head of the retainer pins.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in general and particular FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown by the numeral 10 the precompressed spring package of the invention which comprises a plurality of spaced apart frames 12 and 14 which carry a plurality of resilient means 16 in the form of coil spring in the embodiment shown. Rigidly fastened to the upper frame 12 is a downwardly positioned lug 18 which contains an aperture 20 formed through the lower portion of the lug. Rigidly attached to the bottom frame 14 is a plurality of upwardly positioned lugs 22 and 24 having conical shaped apertures 26 and 28 formed therein. Positioned within the aperture 20 and the conical aperture 26 and 28 is a retainer pin 30 of sufficient size and strength to retain the top and bottom frames 12 and 14 at a predetermined position against the action of the springs 16.

Referring now to FIG. 3 in particular there is shown the precompressed spring retaining and releasing means in such a position that the retainer pin 30 is rigidly retaining the frames 12 and 14 at a predetermined distance from each other. The retainer pin 30 is prevented from accidental dislodgment by means of a stop 32 formed on the upper portion of the lug 24. The stop extends downwardly into the path of the horizontal travel of the retainer pin 30, contacts the head 34 of the retainer pin whenever the retainer pin would be moved accidentally. When the spring package is precompressed as is shown in FIG. 3, the lug 18 is forced into an upward position as shown by the direction of the arrow 36 while the lugs 22 and 24 are being forced into a downward position as shown by the arrow 38 being retained from further movement by the presence of the retainer pin 30 in the apertures 20, 26 and 28.

Whenever the precompressed spring package is inserted into the modular device, and it is desired to release the springs to their working height then a predetermined load is applied to the frames 12 and 14 to overcome the action of the springs 16. This is shown best by referring to FIG. 4 wherein the lug 18 has now traveled downwardly in the direction shown by arrow 40 while simultaneously the lugs 22 and 24 have traveled upwardly in the direction shown by arrow 42 thereby releasing the pin 30 and allowing it to fall by gravity out of the apertures 12, 26 and 28. Thereafter, the predetermined load is released from the frames 12 and 14 and the springs 16 are able to return to their normal working height.

Referring now to FIG. 5 of the drawing, there is shown a modification of the basic invention wherein the lug 22 is formed in the manner shown in the FIG. 5 having an opening 44 formed therein to receive an ejection spring 46 which is positioned against the base 48 of the opening 44 and also against the base 50 of the retainer pin 30. Whenever the predetermined load is applied to the frames 12 and 14, the ejection spring 46 will act to eject the pin 30 automatically from the apertures in the lugs to thereby allow the springs 16 to return to their normal working height.

Referring now to FIG. 6 of the drawing, there is shown a further modification of the device shown in FIG. 5 wherein the ejector spring 46 is positioned between the side 52 of the lug 24 and also against the underside 54 of the head 36 of pin 30. In FIG. 6 the lugs 22 and 24, as well as the lug 18, are shown in the locked position with the pin 30 retaining the frames 12 and 14 against the action of the springs 16. The pin 30 is also restrained from horizontal movement such as by accidental portion of the lug 24.

From the foregoing it can be seen that there has been provided a new and novel precompressed spring package which may be quickly and easily installed in existing devices having resilient supporting means. The springs in the devices may be retained at a predetermined shipping height and then may-be automatically released to assume their working height whenever a predetermined load is applied to the spring package after the package has been installed in the device. With the use of the spring package of the invention extremely heavy spring loads may be compressed and subsequently automatically released without danger to installers working on the device. In addition, the spring package of the invention provides a positive means for releasing the springs in the package to their working height by means of gravity or by means of ejector springs shown in modifications of the basic invention; While many changes may be made in the construction details and arrangements of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the accompanying claims, the invention should not be limited to the exact matter shown and described since only the preferred embodiment has been given by way of illustration.

I claim:

1. For use in resilient devices a precompressed spring package having at least two frames spaced apart from each other, means associated with said frames for retaining said frames at a predetermined distance from each other and automatically releasing said frames whenever a predetermined load is applied to said frames, said retaining means comprising at least one lug rigidly fastened to each of said frames, said lugs being in juxtaposition and having pin receiving apertures formed therein; a retainer pin positioned within said apertures for retaining said lugs and said frames in a predetermined position; and means contained on one of said lugs for preventing the removal of said retainer pin until the predetermined load is applied to said frames whereupon said retainer pin is auto matically removed from said apertures and said resilient means urges said frames to a working position in the device.

2. The spring package as defined in claim 1 wherein said automatic releasing means comprises an ejection spring, having one end thereof positioned against one of said lugs and the other end thereof positioned against said retainer pin so as to yieldably urge said retainer pin away from said lug.

3. The spring package as defined in claim 1 wherein said automatic releasing means comprises aid apertures being formed of predetermined larger diameters than said retainer pin so that when the predetermined load is applied to said frames said retainer pin is automatically removed from said apertures by gravity. 

1. For use in resilient devices a precompressed spring package having at least two frames spaced apart from each other, means associated with said frames for retaining said frames at a predetermined distance from each other and automatically releasing said frames whenever a predetermined load is applied to said frames, said retaining means comprising at least one lug rigidly fastened to each of said frames, said lugs being in juxtaposition and having pin receiving apertures formed therein; a retainer pin positioned within said apertures for retaining said lugs and said frames in a predetermined position; and means contained on one of said lugs for preventing the removal of said retainer pin until the predetermined load is applied to said frames whereupon said retainer pin is automatically removed from said apertures and said resilient means urges said frames to a working position in the device.
 2. The spring package as defined in claim 1 wherein said automatic releasing means comprises an ejection spring, having one end thereof positioned against one of said lugs and the other end thereof positioned against said retainer pin so as to yieldably urge said retainer pin away from said lug.
 3. The spring package as defined in claim 1 wherein said automatic releasing means comprises said apertures being formed of predetermined larger diameters than said retainer pin so that when the predetermined load is applied to said frames said retainer pin is automatically removed from said apertures by gravity. 